Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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.- . L gg 25 Kungsholm Chicago! The very thought of that booming metropolis sends a shiver down anyones spine. The Windy Cityf' the fastest city in America, the centre of the meat packing business, Wabash Avenue, Bonwitt Tellersg Northwestern Univer- sity, Cicero, all these names make Chicago famous the world over. Besides being an interesting and thriving city today, Chicago has one of the most fanciful and fascinating histories of all cities. But, this is only leading up to my story, which is a story because of a gentleman by the name of Leander Hamilton McCormick. Leander McCormick ordered the internationally famous architect, Stanford White, to design for him a residence and he built an imposing home at Rush and Ontario Streets, in a district where the wealthy Chicagoans of that day set a faultless standard of good taste and elegance. The Leander Hamilton McCormick home has stood unchanged by the passing parade of a great city continually on the march. In rooms which once echoed the music of string trios or the golden voices of opera stars, today, stately walls look down upon a scene of the same gracious living for which they were built. For here, in this setting, is a restaurant providing fare for people who prefer to consider eating as a luxury. Because Frederik Chramer believes that good dining is the first requisite of good living, he has established Kungsholm which is worthy of the fine house. The building itself is unique. Each brick, which makes up this house, came from Belgium, separ- The giant-carved oak ately wrapped in straw. doors at the entrance were brought from Italy, as were the heavy iron knockers which are at- tached to them. The rooms which were once familiar to Leander restrained elegance al- transformed very aptly McCormick retain their though they have been into dining rooms, cocktail lounges, private party rooms and so on. Throughout these main floor rooms is a rich carpet of blue and gold Qextremely familiar to Winnipeggersj especially woven into a pattern of three crowns which form the emblem of the house and are taken from the Swedish Coat of Arms. The name, Kungsholm is taken from a castle in the north of Stockholm and means Kings Home, and I assure you the food that is found here is worthy of such a noble name. Naturally in a place so named, the Smorgasbord fof which we also have had some tastej is most conspicuous. It is a triumphant and artistic achievement of all Scandinavian countries. It is not merely a buffet dinner but a presentation of the finest of native fish, meat, cheese, and other fine delicacies. But Fredrik Chramer does not only specialize in serving the finest in foods, he also presents a Miniature Grand Opera Theatre for the pleasure of his friends and guests. Fine opera and good music are Mr. Chramer's hobbies and have been for many years. His operas are performed by electrically manipulated life-like puppets standing thirteen inches in height. From these, he has gained not only extreme pleasure but relaxation from business as well. Consequently in building this miniature opera he has realized a life-long dream. giving personal joy to himself and satis- faction to all his guests. Mr. Chramer has in his repertoire twenty-four operas, including Victor and Columbia master- pieces presenting the very best operatic perform- ers in Madame Butterfly, Faust, Carmen. La Traviata, The Barber of Seville, Mikado and many more favourites. An extensive wardrobe of more than tive hun- dred opera costumes is a necessity, One hundred and forty pieces of scenery including street scenes, gardens, formal drawing rooms, a bull Arena and churches, are used and even more important is the full size opera orchestra. Each of the twenty-five puppet players is in full dress suit playing his instrument-violin, cello, harp, clarinet, flute and French horn. The tiny conductor leads the puppet musicians keeping perfect time with the music from the record. Over the stage are inscribed these words, EI BLOT TIL LYST, NOT ONLY EOR AMUSE- MENT and often now when I think of Chicago, I add to my list of famous places that of Kung- sholm for long it shall be that I remember the superb service and the impeccable entertainment which was offered so humbly in this gracious and stately establishment. Carol Nixon, Grade XI. The Coventry Cathedral Address We were very pleased to have Provost R. Howard of Coventry Cathedral, England, as a guest at Prayers. Provost Howard came to talk to us about the spirit of the British people and their final desire to rebuild. Provost Howard described Coventry Cathedral and then gave us a graphic description of its bombing, which left only the tower of the Cathed- ral standing. He told us of the plans to build a new Cathedral, of the Coventry crosses made of nails from the rafters of the bombed Cathedral. Provost Howard explained the Canadian Friends of Coventry Cathedral scheme, whereby Canadians could also help this new Cathedral. We were en- thralled by his description of the new Cathedral, which is to be a symbol to all the world, of the triumph of Christianity over evil. We are planning to raise the thirty dollars necessary to become a Canadian Friend of Cov- entry Cathedralu and to place our maple leaf on one of the aisles of the new Coventry Cathedral. Eirene Landon, Grade XI.

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24- -Ds desc.- -D D.- - SPORTS CAPTAIN AND HOUSE HEADS The Sir James Aikins Memorial Trophy- Less than one hundred years ago, on the island of Samothrace, were found the remaining white marble pieces of a statue representing Nike, Goddess of Victory. In 506 B.C., Nike was believed to have led to victory the armies of Demetrius and to her honour this monument, sculptured ingeniously, was erected upon the cliffs of Samothrace, overlooking the Mediterranean. Fate, in the form of plundering Romans soon destroyed Nike, along with numer- ous other Greek works of art. Wheii found and pieced together Nike stood as a winged figure in long, flowing robes facing out as though heading, unconquered, to victory. Through the thoughtfulness and far-sightedness of the late Mr. Harold Aikins, Balmoral Hall now has a replica of this statue to remind us, one and all, of the victory we are seeking. It is our aim at Balmoral Hall, to gain victory in our school work, in sports, over ourselves and thus achieve higher standards. 1 Former winners of the Sir james Aikins Mem- orial Trophy:- 1950-1951-Braemar 1951-195 2-Ballater 1952-1953-Ballater 1953-1954- May the best House win! janet Davis, Grade X. Christmas Boxes Again this year, the week before our Christmas holidays began we brought gifts of food, clothing and toys to Morning prayers. These were later parcelled and made ready for Christmas delivery. These boxes were sent to the Point Douglas Mis- sion, to the Fairford Indian Reserve and also to Canada Save the Children Fund. Grades XI and XII brought specially wrapped gifts to be sent to the thirty girls at Mrs. Bryant's School. Those of us who went to the Mission learned how very happy our gifts had made people on previous Christmases and we heard from the let- ters received how much the boxes were appreciated by the others.

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26 f .2 A Uh. fl llfllfti i 6 sw qxa- I2 QJ. The Problem of Fairyland Once upon a time there lived a fairy princess. She lived with her mother and father in an old broken bottle surrounded by six dandelion guards. Her name was Daffodil , her mothers Daffo- downhilln and her fathers Daffodownwilli'. One day as Daffodil was playing in the garden with her ball made out of dandelion Huff along came twenty goblins. Seeing the princess all alone one of them named Swartz dashed up on his cricket and stole her away. A few hours later the Queen was in a tizzy for she had just discovered her baby missing. Oh what shall I do? she cried. Here, here, the King spoke up, We'll find her soon! The next morning the King set out for goblin land. Following him was his General, Lieutenant. Colonel and finally came the army. However when they reached goblin land word had been sent and they were all ready, The King was furious. Theres a spy, he roared, Theres a spy right here among us. After a search he found a dandelion guard disguised as a small goblin. Well, he roared what have you to say for yourself? Off with his head. This search had given the enemy time to gather reinforcements and they had a pretty big army now. Later in the afternoon the cavalry surrounded the goblin king's palace ready for the attack. ChargeF the cry rang out over the country. The fairy troops bore down on the palace. But! strangely enough the goblins took charge and had just about over-powered the fairies when along came The Dragon Fly Airforce. Seeing this the goblins fled in haste leaving Princess Daffodil be- hind, bound hands and feet in the castle. A handsome young lieutenant rode in on his beetle and brought her to the loving hands of her mother and father. Three months later he was awarded The Fairy Cross of Good Service. He married the princess and they lived happily ever after. Carol Anne Fields, Grade VI. fznzioi' Lifemry Compefiliozz Prize Slory